Interview Tips

Be prepared to answer questions like:

• What kind of job are you looking for?
• Why did you choose your particular vocation?
• What are your qualifications?
• Why would you like to work for our company?
• What do you want to be doing in your career five years from now?
• When was your last salary review?
• What style of management gets the best from you?
• What interests you about our services?
• What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?
• Which job did you enjoy the most and why?
• Why did you leave your previous employment?
• What have you done that shows initiative in your career?
• What are your major weaknesses and what are your strengths?
• What are your hobbies?

Questions you may ask:

• A detailed description of the position.
• The reason why the position has became available.
• The culture of the company.
• About their induction and training programs.
• What are the company's best selling products or services.
• What is the next step of the interview process?

You must determine whether this company will provide opportunities for the growth and development you seek.

On arrival

• Shake hands firmly
• Stand tall and look the interviewer in the eyes and smile.
• Wait to be invited to sit down
• Maintain good eye contact, follow the interviewer's leads
• If you do not understand a question, politely ask them to rephrase it, or encourage them to be more specific.

Classic Dos and Don’ts

Do:

• Prepare as best as you can (ask your HORNER Consultant for help in research advice e.g. the Company’s Website Address)
• Dress appropriately, adhering to the company's dress code (ask your HORNER Consultant’s opinion if you are unsure)
• ALWAYS arrive on time or 5 minutes before your interview time (plan your trip in advance in order to take into consideration transport and/or parking delays)
• Have your mobile phone switched to silent or, even better, turned off
• Listen to the interviewer
• Use the interviewer's name
• Observe the interviewer's reactions
• Take brief notes (if you wish)
• Answer questions directly and specifically and avoid long pauses
• Describe your accomplishments in qualitative terms
• Display confidence in your past achievements
• Ask questions that reflect preparation and logical thinking
• Express interest in the employer's needs and the job; and
• End negatives with a positive, for example 'No, but I can learn it quickly'.

Don’t:

• Smoke just before going into an interview – gum and perfume won’t mask it;
• Chew gum;
• Relax too much…for example leaning back in your chair
• Be aggressive, impatient or arrogant;
• Give only 'yes' or 'no' answers to questions;
• Argue;
• Lose your cool or show nervousness;
• Criticise past or present employers;
• Highlight any weaknesses you may have without a positive;
• Read documents that are on the interviewer's desk; and
• Answer your mobile phone (which should be switched off anyway).

Remember, the focus for the interview is to communicate what it is in your background that qualifies you to do this job. Your job is to communicate your background's relevance to this position's requirements and needs.